Scarsdale graduate Nick Civetta, left, is shown before a match in the Americas Rugby Championship as a member of the United States 'A' team.

Written by

Phil Terrigno
| For The Journal News

Scarsdale native Nick Civetta received a rude welcome to the world of high-level rugby, courtesy of Texas A&M's Chris Parker in a 2011 All-Americans training session.

"I got bowled over by him, he ran right through me," Civetta said of Parker, who has the chiseled build of an Under Armour mannequin. "I was like, 'This kid is strong and fast. I need to be that.' That's when I realized I had to make a decision about taking this seriously."